THE PIGEON-SHOOTING HANDICAP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 4731, 15 January 1877, Page 3

THE PIGEON-SHOOTING HANDICAP.

The grand tournament, which has been looked forward to with great interest, took place on 27th December, at Ellerslie Gardens, in the presence of a nnmerous company. It will be remembered that some months ago an Inter-provincial Pigeonmatch took place between Auckland and Dunedin, our representatives securing the prize, which was to be a cup of the value of GO guineas. A cup was sent up by the Dunedin team, which our people deemed not to be worth the money, and therefore returned it, when the cash was sent in lieu of i the trophy. To become the possessor of a ! trophy purchased by the Southern money was the object of the match yesterday, and it will be seen that Mr. Bishop, of Ellerslie, was the fortunate shootist. Considerable speculation was evinced towards the close of the contest, and as the southern bookmakers were present, betting on the bird, or on the gun—was the order of the day. 2tol on the first pop, or 3 to 1 on the gun (2 barrels), 2 to 1 on the bird (not killed) was often the cry, which added zest to the affair. Mr. Morrin, who shot remarkably well throughout, missed his lasb shot, and was thus out of it, while Middleton to hit at all would secure the prize. He also missed his last bird. Bishop, at scratch with a score of 14 and a bird to «o, now stood a show, and as he came up batting was strong that he would kill at lirst pop, which he did, tying Middleton. These Iwo had then to shoot off, and the betting by the Southerners was two to one on the double event, Bishop for the trophy, and Tommy Dodd for the steeplechase. Middleton was the firat to fire, and at 25 yards he stood ; up went the bird, and off went the gun, feathers flew, but no bird fell, and the sportsman, thinking it would fall within the prescribed boundary, failed to fire hie second barrel, and thus scored a miss. 10 to 1 on Bishop first pop and Tommy Dodd, was the cry of the book-makers, and sure enough the first pop of the old man brought down the bird, and he was declared the winner of the Handicap amid loud cheers. The match was shot under the Hamley Gun Club Rules. Ten birds, each limit of shot, l£ozs.; powder unlimited. Messrs. Marks, J.- Kirkwood, T. Brown, and W. Percival, acted as committee of management; Mr.. J. Kirkwood was scorer ; Mr. VV. J. Marks, umpire ; Mr. Handley, charger; Mr. J. Reid, puller. There were three traps, and the boundary was the f.mce. A bird shot with the first barrel counts two with the second one. Sellers, 21 yards.. .. .. .. 2200R, "4 E. E. Uox, 24 yards .. '.. .. 1002212022 12 IV. M. Hay, 25 yards .. .. .. 00210020 R. 5 G. Gwynne, 25 yards 0200202200 8 A. Aitlsen, 25 yards 0202020 E. 0 S. Morrin, 2S yarda .... .. 2210222220 16 Edwards, 23 yarda 210000 E. 3 Ktmell, 25 yards 2010222222 15 Godkin, 25 yards 00211 R. i F. Whltaker, 23 yard 3 2120021222 14 Lang, 20 yards 0220000202 8 Bistiop, 27 yards ?220122122 10 Hammond, 21 yard* 1212022020 12 K. Hill, 25 yards 1210222222 10 J. M. Clark, 22 yards 0020210 U. B Leonard, 24 yarda .. ~ .. 2200210020 0 W. V. Buckland, 25 yards .. .. 0202212002 11 Trust, 25 yarda .. 0220002210 9 Captain Isaacs, 21 yards .. .. 2220121012 13 Middleton, 25 yards 2220222220 16